Line spacer



March l2, 1940.

` G. H. BoYD LINE SPACER Filed July 23, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March l2, 1940.

G. H. BOYD LINE SPACER' Filed July 23, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 iff' 5 Sheets-Shee? 5 www5 G. H. BOYD LINE SPACER March l2, 1940.

Filed July 23, 1937 Patented Mar.` 12, 1940 UNITED STATES LINE SPACER George H. Boyd, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Tcrnstedt Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 23, 1937, Serial No. 155,168

8 Claims.

-This invention relates to a line spacing or copy-` necessitated a greatdeal of transferring of rec-` ords from one sheet to another, and to facilitate this transferring of records and to enable the operator accurately to transfer records from one sheet to another, the machine of the present invention was designed and worked out. The machine has a 90 segment the front part of which is covered by a shield to leave but one line expose-d at the top. After copying a line the operatorby moving the segment a short distance-is able to expose a new line tc view to be transferred to a diferent sheet. When the segment has been moved so as to expose all the lines on the sheet and the operator has copied each, the segment may be caused to fall and resume` its starting position by giving a rapid re- Verse rotation to the handle which operates the mechanism for moving the segment. A suitable clutch positioned in the mechanism is so constructed that a slow movement inione direction will enable the mechanism `to raise the segment to expose a new line while a slow reverse movement will turn the segment in the opposite direction. A rapid movement ofthe clutch mechanism in a direction reverse to the raising ofthe segment will cause the clutch to operate to release the segment and cause it to fall to its original o1" starting position, i On the drawings Figure 1 is a front view of the machine as it faces the operator.

`ure 1.

4 FigureS is a side view of the structure of Figure 1 showing the line spacing machine attached `to a business machine with the operator shown in position. l

Figure 4 is a View of the upper part of Figure 1 with parts broken away better to illustratethe construction, `and taken on the line 4--4 of Fig ure 3. v

` Figure 5 is an enlarged sectionaldetail `view of the clutch and associated mechanism.

Figure 6` is a section on the line ,i5- 6 of Fig ure 4 showing the counterweight. y

Figure 'I is a detailed view on the line 1 1 of Figure 4, parts being broken away and others shown in section better to illustrate the `,oon-

struction.

` Figure 4.

l the dashpot.

`there is to'be recorded the suitable records to `whole at l2.

are indicated at 25 and 28. The sides Z5 and 28 Figure' 2 is aV section on thevline 2,-,.-2 of Fig# (Cl. 1Z0-31) Figures 8 and 9 are different sectional views of the clutchwith the pin in its two extreme positions.

Figure 10 is a detail view on the line l-l of Figure 11 is a sectional detailed view` through On the `drawings there is shown at 2 `in dotted outline in Figure 3 a suitable type of business machine having keys l which are adapted to be 10 pressed by the operator E. The machine 2 is adapted to receive al sheet of paper E on which be transferred from the sheet l0 which is mount-` ed on the line spacing machine indicated as a 15 The machine E2 has the arms I4 at its lower part, the arms lll being secured as at I5 to a base I8 on which the machine 2 is secured. The arms It are curved as shown in yFigure 3 and have plates 2E secured at the upper extremi- 20 ties and on these plates there is mounted the base 22 of an upright frame 2li thesides ofwhich are mounted by means of the feet 30 to the base 22. 25 At the upper end of the sides 2S and 28 there is journaled the shaft 32, best shown in Figures 4 and 5. The sides 25 and 28 have the retainers 34 mounted therein in which there are positioned the bearings 36 in which the shaft 32 rotates. 30

'Ihe shaft 32 has iixedly secured at its extreme ends just inside the sides 2t and 28 the hubs 38 of arms lli which project toward the operator' and have their outer ends continued toward each other to form an arc 42. The arcs [l2 have a 35 curved plate @il secured thereto and shaped to conform tothe arcs i2 so that the arms im, arcs 42, and plate 44 form a segment l5 to receive the sheet Ill to be copied. The sheet l@ is held on plate 44 by means of removable clips it which 40 may be of any suitable type.

An arcuate shield 48 is positionedimmediately in iront of the segment 45 and is secured at its upper end by the braces 5I and at its `lower end` to brackets 52' secured to the sides 2@ and 28. 45 If desired, but a single bracket 52 may be used and extend entirely across the machine from one i side 26 to the other side 28. The shield lil conforms in shape to the plate lli and at its upper end has secured thereto the arms 54 on which 50 there is pivoted the line indicator Etfwhich extends inwardly Iand `is spaced from the sheet l@ to indicate the line to be copied. The upper part of the frame l2 has secured at each side the arms 56 which are inwardly bent at the front end as 55 indicated at 58 and retain therebetween the shade or frame 6i! in which there are received the electric light bulbs 52 which illuminate the sheet iii to be copied.

Referring to Figure 5, the shaft 32 has secured thereto by means of the pin Sil a collar i6 which retains the clutch 58 in the position shown in Figure 5. The clutch comprises the externally Itoothed extension l@ on the hub of the worm wheel l2, the extension 'i8 and wheel 'i2 being freely mounted on the shaft 32. The clutch element 'H3 is surrounded by a second clutch element or part 'lli which has a hub lf secured to the shaft 32 by means of the pin i8. The clutch part 'Mi is not toothed or notched where it overlaps the toothed part of the clutch element id but is smooth on its interior.

Referring to Figures 5, 7, 8, and 9, the teeth on vthe clutch element or part 7S are indicated by the numeral 8G while the smooth interior clutch part '|13 is indicated by the numeral 82.

' The clutch elementor part 'H5 has an opening 83 therein in which there is rigidly mounted the cylinder 86, in which there is slidably received the pin 88, having a single tooth Sii at its inner end,`the tooth 30 being adapted to mesh with the spaces between the teeth 8d on the element 1D. The pin 88 has a slot 92 to accommodate a retaining pin 94 secured in the clutch element 74. A second retaining pin 96 at the youter end of the -pin 83 holds a washer 98 in place and a weak coil spring IEM surrounds the cylinder 86 and is heldin place by the washer 98 between the washer and the face of the clutch element lll. In Figures 7 and 8 the tooth Sii is shown in engagement with the teeth B@ of the clutch element il), while in Figure 9 the spring ldl has pushed the pin 88 outwardly to cause the tooth 9D to be disengaged from the teeth 8. The reason for this disengagement will be later described. v

At the upper part of the frame 2 and im1nediately over the pin 883 when the segment 45 is in its lowermost position there is secured a iinger |82 which causes vthe pin 88 to be positioned inwardly to the position shown in Figure 7 so that when the segment 42 returns to its lowerrnost position the pin 88 will always be forced by the finger IM into engagement with the teeth 8d of the clutch element lil.

The worm wheel 12 meshes with a worm IM secured to the end of a shaft |05 by means of 'the pin H38. The shaft Iii has its upper end mounted in bearings lili formed in the arms I2 of the U-shaped bracket i4 secured tothe frame 24. Suitable ball bearings lio are positioned inside the U bracket IM between the worm it and the bearings HG. l

The shaft m5 extends downwardly toward the base 22 of the machine and has a miter gear l i8 secured to its end. The shaft Hi8 adjacent the gear ||8 is mounted in the U bracket |20 secured t0 the base of the machine. A second shaft |22 is also mounted in the U bracket liti and secured thereto a miter gear l2@ mating with the gear H8. The shaft |22l extends forwardly of the machine and has its end mounted in an upright 2@ secured to an arm |23 projectingfrom the base of the machine. A handle |38 provided at the end of the shaft |22 adjacent the operator serves as a means for operating the line spacer structure.

In order to make the machine easier of cperation the shaft 32 has secured thereto two arms 532 andl shown in detail in Figure 6. Between the arms |32 and |34 there is mounted a counterweight |36. The counterweight |36 is not heavy enough `completely to balance the segment i5 and when free to move, the segment will move downwardly and bring the parts to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In order to prevent a sudden jar and to eliminate noise a dashpot it is provided. The dashpot is positioned inside the segment and between the segment and the rear of the upright frame 2d, and comprises an arm hid rigidly secured to the shaft 32 as shown at i132. The end of the arm Ed has pivoted thereto the head UM to which there is threaded as at M5 the end of a rod Hi8 having a piston or plunger 53 at its bottom. The rod lll passes through a suitable packing gland |5| mounted at the head H52 on a cylinder |511. The other end of the cylinder has the head |56 provided with a tongue |58 pivoted on a pin |56 mounted in ears 52 lformed on a transverse brace |64 extending from one side 26 to the other side 28 of the frame. The plunger or piston |551 has the movable valve head |65 provided with a passage l through its center. 'Ihe valve l is conical at its bottom and cylindrical at its top and the cylindrical part has a slot l in which there is received vpin |72 passing through the piston |56. The slot |25 and pin |72 limit the free movement of the valve l. The bore of the piston in which the Icylinder part of the valve travels is provided with one or more openings il# to allow the escape of oil from the underside of the piston shown in Figure 11 to the upper side and into the cylinder. The piston is also provided with a plurality of openings H6 to allow the escape of oil between the conical part of the valve iii and its conical seat in the piston |53. When the segment 45 is returned from elevated position to lowered position, the piston |50 will move substantially free in the cylinder, the oil owing freely through `the passages |74 and |16. Just before the piston reaches the lowest point of its travel the valve |66 will strike the bottom of thefcylinder and cause the conical part thereof lto approach and be seated on the conical seat in the piston |56. This will obstruct the flow of oil through the passages Ii and force all the oil to iow through the passages |68 and |14 and greatly retard the downward movement of the segment. lowermost position it is suddenly and lightly re tarded with a dashpot action and it falls to its starting or lowermost position noiselessly and without jar.

Referring to Figure 7, the position of the parts when the segment 45 is in its lowermost position is shown. The finger |02 has forced the pin 88 inwardly toward the shaft 32 and has caused the tooth to engage between the teeth 80 of the clutch element l0. The frictional engagement between the teeth 811 and 90 is suicient to hold the teeth. in the position shown in Figures 7 and 8. By turning the operating handle |30 the operator causes the rotation 0f the worm wheel '|2 which in turn moves the clutch 68 and the shaft 32. After a very short arcuate movement the pin 88 will leave the finger |02, but the spring |00. being very weak, is not sufficiently strong to overcome the frictional engagement between the teeth 8D and 9U so that the pin will be retained in the position shown in Figure 8. If it is desired to reverse the copy to return to the line which has just been passed, the operator will slowly Therefore, as the segment reaches its 'V turn the handle |30 in the reverse position so sheets l0 will move the Segment' downwardly and (':ariy'` the pin 88 therewith. The frictional en-` gagement between the teeth 8l) and 90 is still sufficient to hold the pin in the position shown in Figure 8. Because of the fact that the segment isout of balance, the pin will be held in engagement with the teeth 80. In order to release the pin 88 and its tooth 9U from engagement with the teeth 8B, the operator will turn the handle i3@ quickly in the reverse direction so that the tooth Si! is suddenly pulled away from engagement with the teeth 8D. This will enable the spring Hill' to function and to push the pin 88 from the position shown in Figure 8 to that shown in Figure 9. The segment will then fall and return the segment part and pin 88 to the position shown in Figure 7.

I claim:`

1. In a line spacing machine, a frame, a movable copy-holding segment, a stationary shield in front of the segment to enable the showing of one line of the copy at a time, means journally to mount the segment on the frame, a clutch onv the said means, and means to operate the clutch to cause the segment to rise to advance the copy, said operating means being` capable of releasing the clutch to enable the segment to fall.

2. In a line spacing machine,` an upright frame, a raisable and lowerable copy-holding segment, a stationary shield in front of the segment to enable the showing of one line of copy at a time, a journally mounted shaft to which the segment is secured, a toothed wheel freely mounted on the shaft, a clutch element on the wheel, a second clutch element secured to the shaft, means to interconnect the clutch elements whereby the movement of the toothed wheel in one direction only will cause the raising of the segment to advance the copy, and means movable in one direction to operate the wheel to advance the copy, the movement of said operating means in the opposite direction causing the release of said interconnecting means to release the clutch andv cause the segment to fall to its starting position.

3. In a line spacing machine, an upright frame, a shaft `journaled in the frame, a shield, a copy holder behind the shield and secured to the shaft, said copyholder being movable up and down relative to the shield to display one line of the copy at a time, a clutch element secured to the shaft, a second clutch element freely mounted on the shaft. a pin frictionally interconnecting the two clutch elements, a spring tending constantly to urge said pin out of interconnecting engagement, said spring being of insuicient strength to overcome the force of frictional engagement, means to move one of the clutch elements to cause the rotation of the shaft and the movement of the copy holder when the pin interconnects the clutch elements, and means to cause the pin to connect the clutchelernents when the copy holder is in its lowered position.

4;. In a line spacing machine, an upright frame, a shaft journaled in the frame, a shield, a copy holder behind the shield and secured to the` shaft, said copy holder being movable upv and down relative to the shield to display one line of the copy at a time, a clutch element secured to the shaft, a second clutch element freely mounted on the shaft, a pin frictionally interconnecting tne two clutch elements, a spring tending constantly to urge said pin out of interrection to move one of the clutch elements in one direction to cause the rotation of the shaft and the raising of the copy holder when the pin in.- terconnects the clutch elements, the rapid movement of said means in the reverse direction causing the spring to move the pin to release the first element of the clutch `and thereby enabling the copy holder to fall to its starting position, and means to cause the pin to connect the clutch elements when the copy holder is in its lowered position.

5. In a line spacing machine, an upright frame, a shaft journaled in the frame, a shield, a copy holder behind the shield and secured to the shaft, said copy holder being movable up and down relative to the shield to display one line of the copy at a time, a clutch element secured to the shaft, a second clutch element freely mounted on the shaft, teeth on one clutch element, a pin movably mounted in one clutch element and frictionally engaging the teeth on the other element, a spring tending constantly to urge said `ments, and means to cause the pin to connect the clutch elements when the copy holder is in its i lowered position.

6. In a line spacing machine, a frame, a shaft journaled in the frame, a copy holder rigid with the shaft, a shield in front of the copy holder enabling the showing of one line of copy at a time, a two-part clutch, onepart being secured to the shaft and the other part turning freely thereon, one part of the clutch surrounding the other, teeth on one clutch part, a pin slidably mounted in the other clutch part and having a tooth adapted to engage between the teeth of the other clutch part, said pin being held against a tooth by` frictional engagement, a spring tending constantly to urge said pin out of engagement with the other clutch member, said spring front ofthe copy holder enabling the showing of one line of copy at a time,`a two-part clutch7 one part being secured to the shaft and the other part turning freely thereon, one part of the clutch surrounding the other, teeth on one clutch part, a pin slidably mounted in the other clutch part and having a tooth adapted to engage be-` tween the teeth of the other clutch part, said pin being held against a tooth by frictional engagement, a spring tending constantly to urge said pin out of engagement with the toothed clutch member, said spring being of insufficient strength to overcomethe force of frictional engagement, means to move the freely mounted clutch member thereby to cause the movement of the shaft and the raising of the segment to advance the copy over the shield to` enable the operator to copy the exposed line, the slow movement of said freely mounted clutch member in the reverse direction causing the movement of the copy holder in the reverse direction and the rapid reverse movement of the freely mounted clutch member causing the release of the pin from the toothed member to enable the copy holder to fall to its starting position, and means to cause the pin to connect the clutch elements when the copy holder is in its lowered position.

8. In a line spacing machine, a frame, a shaft jonrnaled in the frame, a copy holder rigid with the shaft, a shield in front of the copy holder enabling the showing of one line of copy at a time, a two-part clutch, one part being secured to the shaft and the other part turning freely thereon, one part of the clutch surrounding the other, teeth on one clutch part, a pin slidably mounted in the other clutch part, said pin having a tooth adapted to engage between the teeth of the clutch part, said pin being held against a tooth by frictional engagement, a spring tending constantly to urge said pin out of engagement with the toothed clutch member, said spring being of insufcient strength to overcome the force of frictional engagement, means to move the freely mounted clutch member thereby to cause the movement of the shaft and the holder to advance the copy over the shield to enable the operator to copy the exposed line, the reverse movement of said means causing the release of the tooth to enable the copy-holder to fall to its starting position and means on the frame adapted to engage the pin on the return movement of the copy holder to cause the tooth of the pin to engage the toothed clutch part.

GEORGE H. BOYD. 

